Penang fishermen say not consulted on land reclamation project
Several groups of fishermen in Penang today have accused the state government of not caring about their livelihoods and concerns over the proposed land reclamation project off Permatang Damar Laut. They said none of them were consulted on the proposal to reclaim the land to finance the RM27 billion Penang Transport Masterplan (PTMP). They added that they would not agree to the proposal, which would see two or three man-made islands, measuring up to 1,619 hectares, being reclaimed off the southern coast of Permatang Damar Laut, Sungai Batu and Gertak Sanggul. Nazri Ahmad, the representative from the Pengkalan Sungai Pinang fishermen unit, said they had yet to receive any feedback from the state government despite sending a memorandum to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng last Monday, a day after hundreds of fishermen staged a protest. "I feel that the state has little interest to talk to us. If they were interested, they would have spoken to us first about this proposal, find out what we think before any of this issue crops up," he told a press conference today. He said the fishermen were not playing politics and merely raising their worries over how a land reclamation project would adversely impact their livelihoods. "We are fighting on our own survival. There is nobody behind us, except for some 10,000 active fishermen in Penang. We also don't want any political interference in our cause. "We will continue to fight until this land reclamation is stopped. We are prepared to see anybody, but we would like to see the chief minister because he is the most powerful person in the state." Gertak Sanggul fishermen unit head Datuk Chooi Sooi Kong said if the chief minister cared, he would have spoken to the groups of fishermen. "We can explain to him, show him how this land reclamation will affect our livelihood," said the 70-year-old veteran in the southern Penang island fishing community. Batu Uban fishermen unit Haja Mydin Sheikh Kamat said even the elder fishermen were angry with the proposal. "I want the state to know that fishermen are like veteran soldiers. They don't die but just fade away. "We will always be alert of what is going on and will definitely speak up if there are problems affecting our community. We are the people who provide protein. "It is very disappointing that the local assemblyman (Batu Maung assemblyman Datuk Abdul Malik Kassim) did not tell the truth although he represents an area with many fishermen... too bad he is not aware of our troubles." Haja Mydin added that Malik should read Ernest Hemingway's “Old Man and the Sea”. Last week, Malik said he had a meeting earlier this month with locals, including fishermen, and they were supportive of the land reclamation project. He said this in response to the protest by fishermen last Sunday. Sungai Batu fishermen unit chief Mohd Ismail Ahmad said he was one of those who attended the meeting with Malik, who was an invited guest. "There was some 30 people attending the meeting, with only 18 of them fishermen. The rest were villagers like single mothers. "When Malik arrived, he spoke about the PTMP, about the plans to build homes on the reclaimed man-made islands and the introduction of water taxis. "When he spoke about these plans, the fishermen left because all they wanted to hear was about how their livelihoods would be protected... none of us agreed with the proposal." he said. Malik, when contacted, confirmed that he was invited to attend the meeting but denied that the state was neglecting the fishing community. He said the state government had also organised a public forum to inform the people about the land reclamation and the masterplan over two weeks ago. "But the fishermen did not attend," he said. It was reported that the masterplan's project delivery partner SRS Consortium Sdn Bhd would consult all stakeholders, including residents and fishermen, when it conducted a detailed environmental assessment impact study for the land reclamation. – December 21, 2015.
